If you are just joining us, this post is part of our Christmas Card series. Last year, we decided to match Pete’s photographs with favorite carols and make our Christmas cards by hand.
This is the Little Cedar Spirit Tree, revered by the Ojibwe, on our beloved Minnesota North Shore. We were fortunate to be escorted by a member of the Grand Portage band to this holy site where the tree, hundreds of years old, grows from rock, sustained by the Great Spirit. Merry Christmas!
Spirit Tree, Lake Superior 2007, by Pete Wuebker
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How faithful are thy branches.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How faithful are thy branches.
‘Tis now alone in summer’s glow,
But thro’ the winter’s frost and snow.
How faithful are thy branches.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
I can but love thee dearly.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
I can but love thee dearly.
How many times on Christmas night,
Thy beauteous gifts have brought delight!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
I can but love thee dearly.
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Peter and Betsy Wuebker are location-independent professionals who share what they know about travel, simplicity and integrating work with life. 
You wonder how old that little stunted cedar is. It probably pre-dates European settlement. When the Ojibway paddled the lake in their birch-bark canoes.
About 15 years ago, they recently discovered some twisted little cedars on the Niagara Escaparment (in Southern Ontario) were 800 years old! They’re the provinces oldest trees!
I love it’s twisted trunk! And it reminds me that a Christmas tree doesn’t have to be an evergreen – it’s really what we make a tree to be…
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Hi Friar – Supposedly a 17th century explorer made note of this mature tree, so it is at least 400 years old. We were so lucky to be escorted to the site. The gentleman who led us knew all the oral history of the Grand Portage band, and the tree. It was such a memorable experience. I’d love to see the ones you mention. Thanks for coming by.
Hi Lance – To me, this tree looks like it is lifting itself in praise toward the heavens. It appears to be dancing, in a way. Wonderful, isn’t it? Thanks.
lovely picture and story of the tree…that was my mother’s favorite carol and so few folks know how to sing it….actually I was a meeting the other night and the older woman wanted to make it more fun so between each topic of the evening we sang a carol – secular and sacred…it was half way through O little Town of Bethlehem I realized that none of the 40 year olds and lower aged women knew the words or the words of many of the carols…we sang that evening. I felt a great sadness – I noticed to at church we need to have all the words for everyone. No caroling either…hmm I am happy my kids can belt them out!…
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Hi Patricia – Back in the day when it was a Christmas concert at our high school, the choir director was a stickler for tradition, and it seemed like most of the town attended. I remember when I was very little learning why the audience rises for the Hallelujah chorus by the community’s example. Between school and church, we learned tradition. I’ve been listening to a Christian radio station in the car this season, learning many more beautiful new contemporary carols. I’m glad you’re enjoying our series.